Colorado’s race for governor is a statistical dead heat, with both Republican candidates running about even with Democrat John Hickenlooper in head-to-head matchups, according to a Denver Post/9News poll.

But Scott McInnis appears well-positioned to be the one taking on Hickenlooper in November, holding a commanding 28-percentage-point lead over Dan Maes among Republicans likely to vote in the August primary.

That Maes, who is relatively unknown across the state, is so far behind McInnis but running even with Hickenlooper is indicative of voter anger and discontent with government, political observers say, pointing to the ailing economy, soaring deficits, Wall Street bailouts and bitter partisanship.

Anti-incumbency sentiments have hurt both parties in races from California to South Carolina. But Democrats, who hold the presidency and both congressional chambers, have the most prominent bull’s-eye on their backs — even at the state level. Even without voters knowing the candidates.

“This is not yet an election about individuals — it’s about the political atmosphere. Republican candidates with even low name identity have done extremely well facing Democrats,” said Denver political analyst Floyd Ciruli.

McInnis and Hickenlooper are effectively running even, as the former congressman from the Western Slope led the Denver mayor 47 percent to 43 percent, which falls within the question’s margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points. Only 4 percent said they were undecided, according to the poll, done by SurveyUSA.

McInnis and Hickenlooper evenly split the unaffiliated vote and each age category, and both candidates received about 80 percent voter backing from their respective parties.

Hickenlooper is only narrowly leading McInnis in the metro area and significantly lags behind him in the rest of Colorado. McInnis appealed the most to regular churchgoers, men and white voters, while Hickenlooper received half the Latino vote.

Evergreen businessman Maes was essentially tied with Hickenlooper, 45 percent to 44 percent, with 6 percent undecided and others supporting a third party. He led among male voters and those older than 50.

Respondent Carol Caughman, 70, said she doesn’t know much about Maes or McInnis, but either candidate is fine with her.

“I just want a Republican,” said the Northglenn retiree. “Obama may be a good man, but he seems to have gone about everything the wrong way.”

Heidi Scolari, a schoolteacher from Severance, is concerned about state issues, such as a new law that changes the way teachers get and keep tenure.

She said she thinks Hickenlooper will do a better job than McInnis or Maes in protecting teachers. She is frustrated but not necessarily angry at government.

“I think there is only so much government can do,” said Scolari, 37. “Things could’ve been worse, they could’ve been better.”

Although Maes narrowly edged McInnis at the state assembly last month, his progress appears to have been stymied by lackluster fundraising and low name recognition. He trails McInnis 57 percent to 29 percent among likely GOP primary voters, with 14 percent undecided. And he is behind McInnis in every grouping: all ages, race, college graduates, conservatives, moderates and regular churchgoers.

Although Maes has spent months wooing the support of Tea Party groups, the majority polled who identified favorably with the movement supported McInnis over Maes.

“There’s no toehold for Maes,” said Jay Leve, the head of SurveyUSA.

When it comes to a McInnis/Hickenlooper matchup, however, Leve was more cautious.

“In those 10 to 12 weeks after the primary and before the general election, so much can change,” he said.

Sallie Snoberger, an unaffiliated voter from Colorado Springs, could be a voter who doesn’t make up her mind until the end. She is upset about illegal immigration and supports abortion rights and access to medical marijuana. She’s leaning toward McInnis “as of now” but said she could easily switch to Hickenlooper.

Stapleton, a real estate executive, is ahead by 23 percentage points among moderates and breaks even with Ament among conservatives and Latino voters. He also leads Ament, a former banker, in the metro area and throughout the rest of Colorado.

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